There’s luxury - and then there’s having the whole place to yourselves.
Why a Private Villa Might Just Be the Best Way to See New Zealand
Posted in July 2025
When it comes to truly unwinding, a private villa offers more than just a place to stay - it gives you the freedom to slow down, spread out, and enjoy the little luxuries (and big ones) on your own terms. No check-in lines. No noisy neighbours. No small talk at the breakfast buffets. Just you, your chosen few, and the kind of privacy and comfort a resort could only dream of.
So, why choose a villa?
Unrivalled Privacy and Seclusion. Whether it’s a family gathering, a milestone birthday, or a long-overdue getaway with friends, a villa gives you the space to truly connect, without interruption. No shared walls with strangers, no other guests. Just your own private sanctuary.
Space to Spread Out. With multiple bedrooms, expansive living areas, full kitchens, and outdoor lounges, villas give you room to breathe. You’ll enjoy free reign of private pools, gardens, and lounges that actually feel like home (only better).
Tailored to You. Prefer your Pinot chilled, fridge stocked, and yoga instructor arriving at 8am sharp? Villas are all about personalisation. Everything from pantry provisioning to private chefs and in-house massages can be curated exactly to your tastes.
Next-Level Amenities. We’re not talking mini-bars here. Many villas come with heli-pads, private jetties, art collections, even on-site golf courses. This is five-star living with all the extras and none of the compromise.
Freedom and Flexibility Wake when you like. Eat when you want. Explore at your own pace. Villas don’t run on someone else’s schedule - this is your holiday, your way.
Perfect for Every Occasion Whether it’s an intimate elopement, a corporate retreat, or a multi-gen reunion, villas offer the flexibility and wow factor to suit every type of trip.
And where better to enjoy all that space and seclusion than New Zealand? With its vast landscapes, remote settings, and cinematic scenery, this is a country made for villa living.
Introducing our handpicked edit of New Zealand’s most exceptional villas - from the sun-soaked beaches of the North to the alpine peaks of the South.
The Palm Residence, Waiheke Island
Just an easy, breezy ferry ride - or an even breezier chopper hop - from Auckland’s CBD, Waiheke Island is where wine country, coastline, and laid-back luxury collide.
The Palm Residence is both architecturally striking and irresistibly relaxed—a modernist masterpiece inspired by Waiheke’s historic boat sheds, reimagined with bold textures and resort energy. Tucked just behind the dunes of Palm Beach, its U-shaped design spills every room into the outdoors and frames the view like a work of art.
At its heart: a sculptural fireplace and expansive living space, perfect for slow mornings, long lunches, and even longer nights. Outside, it’s resort-style living without the crowds - a sun-drenched pool, tennis court, paddle boards, kayaks, and a beachfront bar made for sunset BBQs and spritzes
Cooper Residence, Bay of Islands
Endless views and zero crowds - this is complete seclusion, but with a luxurious twist. Towering over a private headland in the Bay of Islands, the Cooper Residence offers panoramic ocean views, private beach access, and a front-row seat to golden hour (G&T optional, but encouraged).
Inside - refined ease: five luxe suites, a barn-style kitchen made for long-table feasts, curated Māori artworks, and even a private observatory for stargazing. Designed to presidential standards, every detail is considered - from the dramatic entrance to the tucked-away reading nooks and expansive indoor-outdoor entertaining spaces.
Oh, and did we mention the private wine tastings? This is New Zealand’s subtropical north at its most spectacular.
Tucked in between two rugged headlands on the edge of Annandale’s estate, Scrubby Bay is luxury at its most off-the-grid—accessible only by chopper or a spectacular clifftop 4WD adventure.
This striking cedar-clad beach house sleeps up to 14, with three oceanfront suites, a bunk room for the party crew, and sweeping views in every direction. It’s a haven for sun-drenched cocktails, leisurely lunches, and late-night chats over cheese boards and mulled wine - with zero interruptions.
Wild, wonderful, and built for real connection, this is a once-in-a-lifetime escape in a setting only rural New Zealand could deliver.
Flockhill Homestead, Canterbury
Cradled in the foothills of the Southern Alps, this high-country retreat commands sensational views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Lake Pearson, and rolling golden paddocks - all in one spectacular sweep.
Set on a historic sheep station, expect boutique luxury with a rugged edge: floor-to-ceiling windows, organic textures, and direct access to Arthur’s Pass for hiking, horse trekking, or even a spot of sheep mustering.
Come nightfall, Sugarloaf restaurant brings native ingredients and local wines together on a seasonal tasting menu that celebrates the bounty of the land.
Remote. Refined. Utterly unforgettable.
Wānaka is Queenstown’s quieter, cooler cousin - the go-to for discerning travellers who prefer luxury with a little less noise. Enter The Dacha, an exquisite private villa that captures everything we love about Wānaka: dramatic views, understated elegance, and peace and quiet.
Framing Lake Wānaka in all its panoramic glory, and boasting award-winning design details that blend rugged Otago schist with soaring timber ceilings, The Dacha is breathtaking from every angle.
Inside, there’s room to truly relax for up to 16 guests, with sunrise-facing suites, cosy bunkrooms for the kids (or the young at heart), and generous living spaces made for easy-breezy luxury. Outside, sun-drenched terraces and manicured gardens set the scene for alfresco dining and daily golden hour wine o’clock.
Queenstown is legendary for stunning views, endless adventure, vibrant dining, lively bars, and boutique shopping - your ultimate playground for thrills, indulgence, and everything in between.
Perched high above Lake Wakatipu, Hawks Nest boasts five luxe bedrooms, six bathrooms, and ample space for 12. It’s designed for effortless entertaining and total relaxation.
A state-of-the-art kitchen’s all yours - unless you’d rather have the private chef do the honours, of course. Unwind in the wellness room, soak in the hot tub under the stars, or have fun on the trampoline and table tennis.
Just minutes from Queenstown’s buzz, this retreat strikes the perfect balance between privacy and convenience.
Big birthday? Family getaway? Escape-from-it-all kind of trip? Whatever’s calling, these villas are your answer to doing New Zealand properly - privacy, polish, and panoramic views included. Ready to make one yours? Drop us a message and let’s find your perfect private paradise.